China Bans Advertising Of Luxury Goods

In yet another attempt to stem corruption, China has banned television and radio ads which promote gift giving.

A circular published by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) said that advertising luxury good like expensive watches “publicized incorrect values and helped create a bad social ethos.”

SARFT was established following the Communist Party takeover to ensure the cultural products were in sync with the party’s ideological and political values.

The ban of luxury advertisements fell in line with the lunar new year celebrations and is another effort by the Chinese Communist Party to crack down on what they consider corruption. It’s something they consider a “life or death struggle.”

President Hu Jintao said in a statement,

Opposing corruption and building an honest and clean government is a clear stance the party has been adhering to and is an important political issue the people have been paying attention to… If we fail to handle this issue [corruption] well, it could prove fatal to the party and even cause the collapse of the party and the fall of the state.”

In January, officials were required to publicly disclose their assets in four municipalities in the southern province of Guangdong.

In December, the government forbade high-ranking military officials from participating in banquets and other social events where alcoholic beverages could be served. They also set strict limitations on the use of various event decorations and performances including welcome banners, red carpets, and live performances.

Xi, the party chairman, and Wang Qishan, head of the party’s disciplinary commission, have been committed to cracking down on corruption since they made office. Xi has pledged to go after officials that act against the party’s views, and the party has announced that it intends to launch a major anti-corruption plan.

He Bing, an assistant dean of the law school of the China University of Political Science and Law, has said that “Xi is like any other leader, like President Obama — once he assumes power he needs to take action… As new leaders they introduce severe new measures and changes and take a more aggressive approach.”

The Bo Xilai scandal pushed forward the concern of corruption in China last year.

Bo has been accused of taking bribes and using his influence to make profits for others. Gu Kailai, his wife, has been convicted of murdering a British businessman over a financial dispute and Wang Lijun, his former police chief, was convicted for attempting to cover up the murder.